About a million Rohingyas living in Cox’s Bazar are at risk of landslides and floods in this rainy season. Risks are increasing immensely as they are building makeshifts on the steep slopes of the hill. During the monsoon, Rohingyas are spending their days in fear of major accidents and casualties which might cause by landslides due to heavy rainfall.
According to the Meteorological Department, Cox’s Bazar district has received an average of 200 mm rainfall per year from 1977 to 2013. In June, it increases to 800 and in July it went up to 1000mm. Cyclone and tidal bore feared from April and May.
Mohammed-e-Ahmad, a Rohingya leader in Ukhia, said, “There is still no heavy storm and rain. Sometimes there is light rain. If the houses been repaired then we might survive through the monsoon. In the rainy season, the night is more fearful than the day. A night goes sleepless during a heavy rain falls.”
He also said, “Our houses are very weak. When the gusty wind blows then the children get scared. During the rainy season, there is terrible suffering in the shelter camp.”
Mohammad Rafiq, Chairman of Ukhiya Lambashiya Rohingya camp stated, “Those who raised the house on the cliff slopes are at greater risk. The landslide will cause if heavy rain occurs. And those who live in the lower areas are more likely to be flooded. As the rainy season approaches, increasing the anxiety of the Rohingyas. Because from May to September there is a risk of flood and landslide.”
According to District Forest Department sources, in the Ukhiya ranges, Kutupalong, Taingkhali, Balukhali-1, Balukhali-2, Madhurshara, Tajminara Ghona, Nakara Bill, Shafiullahghata, Bagghana, Jamtoli, Teknaf’s Chakmarkul, Putinbania, Shamlapur, Leda, Nayapara, Jadimura, Salbagan and surrounding hills where the Rohingyas have settled down. Rohingyas live in 8,000 acres of hilly forests. These areas are considered to be very risky during the rainy season.
Youth Environment Society (Yeas), an environmental organization of Cox’s Bazar, is worried about Rohingyas’ risks during the monsoon season. The chief executive of this organization, M Ibrahim Khalil Mamun, said, “The rate at which the hills have been cut, the environment has caused irreparable damage. They used to cut forest trees and use them as fuel. In this situation, in the next monsoon season, there is danger of large mountain collapse.”
It is to be noted that the government planned to relocate one hundred Rohingyas to Vasanachar in Hatia, Noakhali. Shifting of Rohingyas has faced criticism from the international organizations including the United Nations, Bangladesh has built residential quarters at a cost of about two and a half billion takas. After the meeting with the leaders of UN organizations in April, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr AK M Abdul Momen said, “Bangladesh will not be responsible if the Rohingyas lose their lives.”
